BEMIDJI, Minn. -- Senior Matt Malone racked up five RBIs to help lead the Minot State Beavers past the Bemidji State Beavers 9-8 on Saturday in NSIC action and the regular-season finale for both teams.
With 9 hits and 8 RBIs in the victory, the Beavers how have 500 and 350 respectively on the season, new NCAA Division II-era single-season team records
Sophomore Colton Bagshaw (6-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Minot State (29-17 overall, 20-14 NSIC). The right-hander went one shutout inning, giving up one hit. Junior Gage Yost started the ballgame and went two innings, surrendering one run on three hits, walking none and striking out three.
Malone went 2-for-5 with a double and a home run in addition to his five RBIs for the Beavers. Junior Brent Riddle put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-1 with a home run and an RBI. Junior Martin Rodriquez also contributed for Minot State, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a double.
The Beavers now head to Bismarck, N.D., for the double-elimination NSIC Tournament, which begins Wednesday. Minot State will be the sixth seed and play their first-round game Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at Municipal Ballpark against the No. 3 seed, likely the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 1-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Minot State plated two runs when Malone left the yard with senior Tyler Wiltshire aboard.
The Bemidji State Beavers failed to push any runs across before the Beavers built on their lead in the fifth inning. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of junior Cameron Carr, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Beavers.
Minot State held Bemidji State without a run before building their lead to 8-1 the following inning. The Beavers bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including a three-run double off the bat of Malone.
The Bemidji State Beavers gained ground, closing the gap to 8-6 until Minot State added some insurance in the eighth. The Beavers recorded a run on Riddle's leadoff homer off freshman Lucas Pierce, bringing the Minot State advantage to 9-6. Bemidji State put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Beavers still held on for the 9-8 win.
GAME NOTES
» The Beavers power output was led by Malone, who compiled two extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Malone drove in five runs for Minot State.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed five runs across.
» Minot State grabbed the lead at 2-1 in the top half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» Minot State went 4-for-9 (.444) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers limited Bemidji State to just 2-for-13 (.154) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 44 Bemidji State hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out five.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Bemidji State pitching.
» Malone led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and five RBI.
» Bemidji State was led offensively by junior Zach Listiak, who went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
» Freshman Christian Lindow led the Bemidji State Beavers pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
